In less than three months, the 30th WNBA season is scheduled to begin on May 8. Back in October 2024, the players’ association officially opted out of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which they originally signed in 2020 with the intended expiration date of 2027.

Since the WNBPA opted out, league representatives and the union held preliminary discussions looking to arrange a new CBA, but have come up short despite two deadline extensions. As of Mar. 17, the WNBA remains without a signed CBA for the upcoming season after the original agreement’s expiration on January 9, 2026. In late February, the WNBA informed the players’ association to sign a deal by March 10 to avoid a delayed start to the season. A week since that deadline, and there is still no signed agreement. However, the CBA negotiations have ramped up as the AP reports frequent marathon meetings that lasted up to 16 hours, with housing and revenue sharing remaining key hurdles.

With that being said, the WNBA has remained on track and released team schedules in anticipation of the quickly approaching season.

A league that was 12 teams just a season ago will be 15 this year with the addition of the Toronto Tempo and return of the Portland Fire, following the newly instated Golden State Valkyries last season. The current CBA placed a maximum cap of 44 games in the season, which the WNBA has followed for this 2026 release, but could be subject to change.

With 15 teams and 44 games, that leaves 330 matchups to watch this season and from opening night onward, there’s a myriad of matchups to tune into.

Dallas Wings vs. Indiana Fever, May 9 at 1:00PM ET

It’ll be a battle of the last four No. 1 WNBA Draft picks on the sequel of opening night. The newly selected 2026 No. 1 pick will be on the Dallas Wings, as decided by the draft lottery back in November. They’ll be joined by 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, and the duo will face the Indiana Fever’s 2024 and 2023 No. 1 picks Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, respectively.

After Caitlin Clark suffered a groin injury just before the All-Star break last season, she hasn’t touched the floor, so the Fever’s first matchup will mark her return.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury, May 9 at 3:30PM ET
The Aces swept the Mercury in the WNBA Finals and the two will face each other once again on the second night of opening weekend. The early finals rematch differs from last season, when fans had to wait until July to watch the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty play. This will be one of four matchups between the Western Conference foes, and if the Aces pull out the win, that will mark their 17th consecutive regular-season win, putting them just one behind the league record win streak of 18 held by the 2001 Los Angeles Sparks.

Portland Fire homestead to reignite franchise
For all those that have been waiting for the WNBA’s return to the city of roses, the 24-year hiatus will conclude on May 8, 2026 when the Portland Fire host the Chicago Sky in Moda Center. As the new team adjusts, they will have a four-game homestead to welcome new fans, facing the New York Liberty next in back-to-back matches, and closing against the Connecticut Sun on May 18. The Fire will travel for their first road trip against the Indiana Fever in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 20.

Inaugural WNBA Match
To honor the league’s 30th season, the New York Liberty will travel to face the Los Angeles Sparks to recreate the first-ever regular-season WNBA game on June 21, 1997, at the Great Western Forum.

FIBA Break
The 20th FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will be held in Berlin, Germany during the tail-end of the WNBA season. Therefore, the league will take a break from September 1 – September 16 to allow players to compete for their respective countries. The regular season will conclude just a week later on September 24.

All-Star Break
Chicago will host the WNBA All-Star 2026, following their last time hosting in 2022 when Kelsey Plum was named All-Star MVP.

Commissioner’s Cup
For the sixth season in a row, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup will take place between June 1 and June 17. The in-season tournament will begin with play between the Dallas Wings and inaugural cup champions Seattle Storm; the top two teams from each conference will face off in the 2026 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship. Every season thus far has crowned a different champion, which leaves the field wide open.